The next thing I know, four guards guide me out of the building and towards the inner fortress.

  As we go, we pass the training fields, barracks, several storage halls, and offices.

  While the really important stuff happens in the innermost ring, here in the second layer of Akaras is where all the cool military action happens.

  I wish I'd have the leeway and time to enjoy the view, but in my current situation, I fear that standing and idly watching the environment wouldn't be looked kindly upon.

  Therefore, we take on a brisk pace and subsequently reach the last grand gate one has to pass to reach the inner fortress.

  That is to say, the inner fortress isn't just one building, it's several, which together form the most well-protected and most important structures the Rakisean army relies upon, all within its own protective barrier.

  Built of solid stone, the mighty headquarters of our whole military stands tall in front of me, some of its walls melding with that of the fort itself.

  There's also a lot of free space at the entrance here, with an open field between the gate, the headquarters, and a lesser wall to the side.

  Ignoring the road that leads to said wall, I’m taken right into the towering complex of the headquarters, where the entrance path leads straight in.

  It's actually my first time entering this place, so, other than the obvious circumstantial reasons, I'm pretty excited.

  Yet, again, I’m not given time to gawk.

  First, I'm lead to some general administrative office.

  Apparently, they want to get the logistics of my recruitment done.

  As I was told, my consent was never a requirement in this.

  However, for formalities' sake, I have to sign a paper.

  Fortunately, I can write my name, if not much else, and don't have to do the version with stamping my fingerprint.

  Following that, I have to go to the quartermaster and give him my sizes.

  I'm not too keen about this, especially as Nuvia was at least right about one thing.

  My chest really could be bigger!

  Yes, I know it's a question about loving yourself and such, but I’ve always felt a little lacking in this regard.

  Yet the greater problem is, while before there was at least the distant hope I might grow a little in the future, something tells me that corpses ain't prone to growing in any regard.

  Like this, I have to give them my real numbers so they can assign me a fitting uniform.

  Once the formalities are completed, they guide me out of the headquarters.

  Buildings of all sizes make up this inner complex, yet I don't really know what many of these buildings are for.

  I guess there's a stable on the left, judging by the sounds, but don't ask me what kind of purpose all the different places here serve.

  Quickly moving along, I’m led to another building, this one in the back of the inner segment.

  Here, I assume, are the officer quarters, considering the relaxed dress of those within.

  What is hardest about this is the atmosphere I'm caught in.

  These soldiers who accompany me are incredibly tense and won’t speak a word to me.

  Even more unnerving is that it feels like they are prepared to strike me down at a moment's notice with their weapons.

  These guys are not here for my safety, but to make sure I do not run or do worse.

  This is a little disappointing.

  Not like I could hold it against them.

  What I've done before proves that I'm dangerous, and they are just doing their jobs.

  But this mood spreads to those we pass, and the other officers look at me warily, all conversation coming to a halt as I walk by.

  So we continue towards wherever my destination is.

  Yet instead of walking towards the wing that seems to be the main quarters, they lead me through a passage deep into the structure, then up a set of stairs, and finally, to a room obviously set quite apart from the general officers.

  It feels like a little much.

  I mean, this building is already on the opposite side of the inner fortress from the awe-inspiring headquarters, and now even inside here, I am apparently not supposed to have contact with anyone.

  However, I'm kind of impressed.

  The room they told me is mine now is spacious and well-equipped.

  At least, it seems they want to treat me respectfully.

  But nonetheless, this situation is a little bit problematic on my side.

  Yet for now, I have a warm bed.

  This helps to put my troubled mind to rest.

  At least a little bit.

  "Get up! Now!" (?)

  "Whaaah!?" (Y)

  Startled, I rush up from my sleep.

  In my provided room stands a woman.

  No idea what's going on, but the uniform indicates an upper rank.

  "Stand up and prepare yourself immediately! Put your uniform on! We have a lot on today's agenda!" (?)

  "I-I don't understand? Who are you?" (Y)

  "Mind your words when speaking to your superior officer! I am Commander Relia Toraja, and from today on, you will serve as an officer under my command!" (R)

  "Officer?" (Y)

  "Yes! Do I have to remind you about your own rank, Third Rank Officer Yomi?" (R)

  Third rank?

  Was I really directly put in this position?

  I am confused!

  "I-I-I..." (Y)

  "Stop the stammering and get yourself ready! I do not tolerate any negligence under my command! Bad enough that I have to do the parenting for a pipsqueak like you, but I won't allow you to slow down the rest of the troop!" (R)

  Maybe I should comply.

  Honestly, she scares me a bit.

  And I am the living corpse here.

  "O-okay, I will..." (Y)

  "NOW MOVE YOUR ASS!!!" (R)

  "Iieehk!" (Y)

  Without wasting another second, I rush out of bed and find, after a short but frantic search, a set of clothes that is apparently for me.

  Having the honest impression that this woman is going to rip my head off if I make her wait any longer, I directly begin to remove my garments.

  At least she's a woman, so I don't have as many issues with getting changed in front of her.

  "Are they serious? How am I supposed to work with this? You look like you barely survived a severe illness! Goddess, do you have any muscles at all?!" (R)

  Okay, she got me embarrassed.

  And how would she react if I told her that I'm a bit past being terminally sick?

  However, sad as it is, it's true that my shape isn't all that impressive.

  On the other side, I totally blame it on that being dead thing and not me lacking a proper workout.

  I am certain that before all that happened, my arms were not as slack and a little bit more toned.

  The only good part is that I, for now, don't have issues with that.

  I can do most stuff fine and am not struggling to keep myself on my legs.

  Okay, sometimes I'm still a little stiff and wobbly, but with practice, I've gotten used to most of it.

  Yet something tells me that Relia wants me to do more than just keep standing.

  "Have you now finished your little daydream? I hope it was a nice one. Because it now turns into a nightmare!!! HURRY UP!!!" (R)

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  With her only reinforcing my initial impression that I will experience severe violence if I don't do so, I hurry to put everything on.

  It's the typical army uniform of an officer.

  The height is just right, but because I got quite a bit skinnier, it's a little too wide.

  "Now get out on the field!" (R)

  While I don’t know where the field is, I take her order as a reason to run as fast as I can away from her, towards the building’s exit, but soon notice that she stays directly behind me, always at exactly the same distance.

  Well, I am not all that fast, since, as I mentioned before, my body still feels completely stiff.

  However, shortly after I get down the stairs, she suddenly appears in front of me, blocking my path!

  "Where do you think you’re going!?! I said the field!" (R)

  She points back at another hall I passed.

  Almost slipping on the floor in my haste, I turn around and take the indicated passage, with her chasing behind.

  Like this, we rush through the corridor till I burst out through the door at the end and onto an open field.

  I can barely look around here, as I need to hurry so much.

  "We are now going to beat that sluggish stumbling out of you!" (R)

  Okay, now I am even more scared.

  "You see this field? You’re going to get real familiar with it, as this is where I'll grind you to bare-bones fighting condition. Now, I want you to run laps around it." (R)

  "Ehm, how many?" (Y)

  "As many as I want to see! We need to start the work on you somewhere. Now run!" (R)

  "B-but I don't think I will gain any muscles from this. It's pointless." (Y)

  "It seems you need a reason to run. Well, then let me help you with that." (R)

  She walks in my direction with the coldest killer gaze one can imagine.

  Then she procures a small leather strap and swings it at me.

  "Whack"

  "Waaah!" (Y)

  "Is that enough motivation?! Come back to me whenever you feel you need more!" (R)

  As if!

  "Oh, and if I see you slacking off, I'll make sure I come to you!" (R)

  I’m convinced that she may actually kill me for good should I even consider straying from the course.

  Furthermore, whenever I come back near to her side of the field, she starts into a sprint, chasing after me with the leather strap and prompting me to run faster.

  "Is that really the girl?" (soldier)

  "Must be, but I pity that one. Being assigned to the iron dragon..." (soldier 2)

  "Yep. The one thing worse than being on her side is ending up on the other. And there are many who would argue that." (soldier 1)

  You know, guys, it's not really soothing to hear that!

  Those two pass by and hurry on their way.

  Probably because they fear the "iron maiden" might take notice of them.

  Occasionally, while I run, other soldiers pass the field, but the pitying look I get from all of them only adds to this terrible picture.

  The only good part is that I don't need to breathe, and thus can't end up panting or with hurting sides.

  Although I'm afraid that might just fire her up.

  However, I notice after a while that my movements become smoother, as I get more of a grasp at how to move this body of mine.

  In general, it feels a bit more indirect.

  Like, I first need to coax it into doing the stuff I want, but the more I do so, the quicker it's on the uptake.

  On the positive side, I think I don't get exhausted in the traditional way.

  Rather, if I pay close attention, I feel like my total energy very slowly decreases, as some form of weariness and cold settles over me.

  I think just the running isn't taking all that much, but it might be a reason to grow concerned in the long term.

  Just because my limit hasn’t been reached yet, doesn't mean having approximately a month to go is plenty.

  However, this woman is not showing any intention of stopping yet.

  "Okay, stop!" (R)

  Or maybe I'm wrong.

  While I don't feel exhausted like others would and can't notice any sweat on me, a break is welcome.

  "Here! Catch!" (R)

  But while I was pondering where I could sit down for a moment, suddenly a wooden stick hits my head.

  And that hard!

  "What's that reaction speed? Do you want to be killed?! Pick it up!" (R)

  Suddenly, going back home feels much more appealing.

  Or into a grave.

  Maybe the fear of death is just a little exaggerated.

  I start to think that this might be preferable.

  Even with the blow to my head disorienting me a bit, I bend down to take that stick, as I am sure that if I don't hurry up, this woman won't mind if I have a weapon then or not.

  And as if to prove me right, she rushes in my direction and strikes with the speed of lightning before I can even stand back up.

  All I manage is to somehow bring the stick between her strike and my body.

  Unfortunately, the attack has not only the speed of lightning, but also the force of a fully grown grindingboar and crashes through my bad attempt at a block, directly into my shoulder.

  My hand feels off, and while I am apparently not able to experience pain, I think something in my shoulder got damaged.

  "What was that?!" (Y)

  "Do you think an enemy would show consideration for your state? Take this as a kindness no one else will show you. You survived this experience. For now." (R)

  I am rather sure that survive is the wrong word here, but I also perceive how my shoulder starts to knit itself back together, so my physical state is not that bad.

  However...

  "Now pick it up. Next round!" (R)

  "W-wait. You can't be serious. I think you just broke my arm. I am in no condition to fight." (Y)

  "Your arm isn't broken. Just bruised. While a well-applied snap might help with the stability after growing back together, I would have to wait until you heal back, and I don't have the patience for doing so. Aside from that, every soldier should learn to fight while being injured. Or do you think the orcs care? I assure you, they do not." (R)

  This woman is a maniac!

  I am sure it's not a joke that she breaks her subordinates' arms just so they grow back together stronger.

  The one good thing is that she doesn't seem to know about my regeneration, which isn't too surprising since I haven't told anyone.

  I still would love to stop this event, which apparently is more centered on beating me up than actual training.

  Yet the fact that she goes into her fighting stance clearly points out that I should prepare myself to either block the next blow with the stick or with my body.

  I start to suspect that both would be fine for her.

  Wiser from the last round, I rush up the moment I have the stick in my hand to deflect an attack from an opponent who isn't the slightest bit concerned if I am even ready.

  This time, I intentionally raise the stick in the way of an oncoming attack from above, but when I do so, Relia's left hand separates from the weapon, grabs my own where I kept it, and stabs the blunt end with full force into my stomach.

  I would surely puke out now whatever meal I had, but the truth is, I’m certain my stomach is already empty.

  At least, I haven't eaten any meal lately, not after losing my dinner with the farmers, and my diet seems to consist solely of lifeforce.

  "Don't think being defensive will save you on the battlefield. An orc will just slash at you till they break through your weapon or bones. But I need to compliment you. Most empty their bellies after this." (R)

  Maniac!

  Totally a maniac!

  "That is only because I haven't eaten a thing!" (Y)

  Not like I could, but still!

  However, another issue arises.

  I'm taking quite the beating here, which basically means that my body is getting damaged again and again.

  While I can apparently regenerate this kind of damage, I feel more and more drained.

  Before long, even moving starts getting difficult.

  "Hey, get a hold of yourself! You don't believe you'll get a break, do you?" (R)

  If this goes on, I'll be fully depleted, and I fear what will happen to me then.

  "I just can't anymore!" (Y)

  "Whack"

  "Too bad, cause we aren't done here." (R)

  "Whack"

  Another hit, shattering straight through my defense.

  Probably also some bones.

  This time, I remain on my knees.

  "Again!" (R)

  "I-I can't." (Y)

  Truly, I feel so sluggish.

  Even my voice got hoarse, rasping through my throat.

  "You think an orc is going to show mercy on you if you give him that? No, they'll simply gut you. Taking as long as your death struggle entertains them. So no, you can get healed afterwards, but for now, you'll literally fight to your end!" (R)

  Another swing.

  This time, I only feebly manage to bring my arm with the stick up, before it gets completely knocked off to the side.

  "What was that?!" (R)

  "I-I can't..." (Y)

  "Again!" (R)

  "Whack"

  Fighting to the end?

  I am at my end.

  As if I could even move.

  There's nothing left.

  I feel tired, and my throat is so constricted.

  "Again!" (R)

  "Whack"

  Just let it stop.

  "Again" (R)

  "Whack"

  Let me breathe!

  "Gasp"

  Oh no!

  I am starting to drain her!

  Oh no, oh no!

  How can I make this stop!?!

  The smoke is drifting out of Relia towards me, but instead of retreating as she should, she moves closer.

  And in my state, I can't tell her otherwise.

  However, I don't get to think much more about this, cause suddenly a fist crashes into my head, dislocating my jaw.

  However, the smoke still gets sucked in there, albeit it's not entering as undeterred anymore.

  I don't understand how Relia can still stand on her legs, but she does.

  Instead of finally moving away from me, she grabs me below the arm and throws me full-force away.

  I fly at least twenty meters through the air before crashing hard onto the ground.

  Now I'm sure I broke at least something.

  Relia, meanwhile, is no longer affected.

  I'm not sure if it's the distance or the heavy trauma to my body, but something about it worked.

  "Cough, cough" (R)

  She might cough, but even now her gaze is firmly focused on me, and she seems more than capable of carrying on.

  Oh shit!

  She's walking up to me!!

  I'm gonna die!

  "You! Don't pull this shit with me, or I swear you'll just barely be left with enough time to regret it, before I crush your fucking skull, girl!!! Understood?!" (R)

  "Y-yeshh, shiir!" (Y)

  Did I mention that my jaw got crushed?